General Bandwidth and Efficient Networks to Initiate Standards-Based VoDSL Interoperability

Business Wire, April 26, 2000

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April, 26, 2000

General Bandwidth, Inc., a telecommunications equipment manufacturer delivering the first voice-over-broadband (VoBroadband(TM)) gateway designed for mass deployment, today announced a business relationship with Efficient Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq:EFNT) to enable interoperability between Efficient's SpeedStream(R) family of DSL products and General Bandwidth's G6(TM) broadband voice gateway. Efficient is a leading provider of high-speed digital subscriber line (DSL) customer premises equipment (CPE) for the broadband access market.

According to the business relationship, the two companies will collaborate to ensure seamless operation between their products as well as promote the standardization of broadband access voice delivery to reduce the risk of non-interoperable and proprietary product offerings.

"We are excited with the opportunity to work with Efficient Networks. Their next-generation integrated access devices are making integrated multi-line voice over DSL a reality for the small and mid-sized business market. Interoperability with Efficient's product line is key to our strategy of both supporting and promoting open architectures for broadband networks," said Brendon Mills, president and CEO of General Bandwidth. "This is the first of several partnerships we are forging with the manufacturers of interface devices that enable delivery of voice services over DSL, cable and wireless access networks."

General Bandwidth's G6 voice gateway is built upon a standards-based, open architecture. This VoBroadband gateway brings together all broadband access (DSL, cable or wireless) on a single universal platform and supports Voice over ATM (VoATM), Voice over IP (VoIP), Voice over Frame Relay (VoFR), and standard time division multiplexing (TDM).

"General Bandwidth is an innovator in enabling high-performance voice services for broadband networks," said Peter Bourne, Efficient's vice president and general manager of integrated access. "We're excited to be expanding interoperability of our SpeedStream next-generation integrated access devices to include the G6 voice gateway. Our success enabling interoperability will pave the way for providing a new competitive service for local exchange carriers and a tremendous communications advantage for their customers."

Efficient's SpeedStream NG-IADs enable carriers to deliver multiple high-quality voice lines plus broadband Internet and corporate network connections over a single copper local loop. Efficient's complete line of NG-IADs includes products that allow for the rapid deployment of service offerings tailor-made for residential, teleworker, home office, small office, small business, and medium-sized business applications.

About Efficient Networks

Efficient Networks, Inc., is a leading provider of broadband access products that employ digital subscriber line (DSL) technology. Emphasizing ease of use, the company's SpeedStream family of DSL products provides high performance remote access for small and medium businesses, branch offices, telecommuters and consumers. Working with DSL service providers worldwide, Efficient is enabling a new generation of broadband applications today. Efficient Networks is based in Dallas, Texas, with sales and support locations around the world. For more information, visit www.efficient.com or call 972/852-1000.

About General Bandwidth

General Bandwidth(TM), Inc. is a telecommunications equipment manufacturer that enables toll quality voice services to residential and business customers across emerging broadband access networks such as digital subscriber line (DSL), cable and wireless. The company's Voice over Broadband (VoBroadband(TM)) approach provides more than 200 independent voice lines over a single broadband connection, allowing service providers to offer packetized voice services over the last mile that meet and exceed the quality and functionality of today's POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service).

Founded in 1999, General Bandwidth is located at 12303 Technology Blvd., Austin, Texas 78727; phone: 512/681-5400; fax: 512/681-5401; toll free: 877/818-2160; www.generalbandwidth.com.

Trademark notes: G6 and VoBroadband are trademarks of General Bandwidth, Inc. Efficient Networks and SpeedStream are registered trademarks of Efficient Networks, Inc. All other company, brand and product names are property of their respective owners.